Over 1,300 stranded in Southern Tagalog, Bicol due to Ofel

As of Wednesday, Tropical Depression Ofel has stranded more than 1,300 individuals in Southern Tagalog, Bicol, and Eastern Visayas, with over 500 people stranded specifically in the Bicol region.

In Bicol, 526 individuals are stranded including 156 trucks, 41 light vehicles, and 17 sea vessels; most of these individuals are located in Albay (112) and Sorsogon (414).

The Philippine Coast Guard reported that 312 persons, 72 trucks, six light vehicles, 35 sea vessels, and 17 motorized boats were stranded in Bicol's sea ports.

PAGASA noted Ofel made its third landfall near Burias Island, Masbate at noon on Wednesday with eleven areas under Signal No. 1; the storm is expected to move towards Marinduque-Romblon area.